What Is A Baptism?
Water Baptism: Repent and Be Baptized
By Paul Davis
The word baptize comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means to immerse, make overwhelmed
Make no mistake about it, throughout the New Testament baptisms occurred by immersion in water. John baptized Jesus to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:14-16), entering the water and completing immersing Christ our Lord beneath it. John's baptism was for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4).
Philip immersed the Ethiopian eunuch in water (Acts 8:36-39).
The essence of baptism is this. A believer in Christ is wholeheartedly ready to surrender his or her life, die to self and sin, and live for God. Water baptism is an outward act symbolizing an inward change. Therefore when you bury a believer waters of baptism you symbolize like Christ they too are dying in the Lord to the old man (Romans 6:3,6), after which like Christ they shall arise hereafter being empowered by the blessed Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4-5).
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:3-6)
Repent and Be Baptized
Infant baptism is not accompanied with repentance and therefore is incorrect. Baby dedication would be appropriate as we give our children to the Lord until they reach spiritual maturity. "Repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:37-38). Otherwise all you are doing is taking somebody for a swim, after which they arise a wet sinner after the ceremony. Heartfelt repentance and prayer during which one cries out to the Lord for a rich infilling with the Spirit to live there life hereafter is vital (Luke 3:21).
Cold Waters
Some men of God like the waters to be cold as a reminder to the believer that sin is deadly (Romans 6:23). The way of the transgressor is hard (Proverbs 13:15). Therefore let it be a reminder to never go back to sin, as would a dog to his vomit.
Jesus said "baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19), teaching them to observe His teaching and to be led by His Holy Spirit into all truth (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:16,14; John 16:12-13; John 14:26).
Baptism into the Body of Christ
Upon giving one's life to Christ at salvation they are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ's body and are sealed with the Spirit of promise (1Corinthians 12:3,13; Ephesians 1:12-13; Galatians 3:14; Romans 8:16).
Water Baptism v. Baby Dedication
Water baptism by full immersion, in the name of Jesus, is necessary in order to fulfill the example and command of Jesus Christ our forerunner and high priest. Water baptism should be preceded by repentance of sins, without which the baptismal candidate will simply be a wet unregenerate sinner as he entered the water. Children can be of the spiritual maturity that they acknowledge and recognize their sin and need for a Savior. Babies or infants should be dedicated to the Lord in prayer and blessed – water baptism not being the appropriate administration until they come of age and spiritual maturity. (Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-39; I Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 2:42-47; Acts 8:36-39).
Any committed disciple who is actively involved in the believer's ministry, beyond reproach, and under spiritual authority can perform water baptism for new converts desirous of fulfilling all righteousness (Acts 6:2-6; Acts 8:36-39; Acts 21:8).
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
God is not limited nor constrained by our ceremonial acts of obedience [i.e., water baptism]. Jesus the baptizer in the Holy Spirit, if He so wills, can baptize whosoever He will in His Spirit before they have taken water baptism. Nevertheless, all should be water baptized (Micah 2:7; Acts 10:44-48). The baptism of the Holy Spirit should be sought (John 7:37-39; Luke 3:16; 11:9-13; 24:49; Acts 1:4-5,8; 19:1-6). Yet many limit Almighty God (Psalm 78:41), resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51), and through hardened hearts remain in spiritual ignorance (Ephesians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 14:38), whereby they don't have, hear, or enter into the fullness of the blessing of Christ (Acts 20:26-27; Romans 15:19,29).
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is equally important as the baptism in water and is a real experience that can occur at or after salvation (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:1-6). Believers in Christ can speak in tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).
Timing
Baptism like salvation is for whosoever will, whenever the person is ready. Some have received the Holy Spirit before being water baptized (Acts 10:44-48). Others have received the Holy Spirit at the time of baptism (Acts 2:38-39). Some like Jesus are empowered by the Holy Spirit after water baptism (Matthew 3; Luke 3). God is not religious. He is a Spirit (John 4:24), spiritual, and wants to get the Holy Spirit in people by every means possible so they can be liberated from self and sin, and live a life of victory to win.
Paul Davis is a worldwide professional speaker, minister and author of several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Stop Lusting & Start Living; and Holy Ghost Fire.
Paul is a life coach (relational & professional), creative consultant, humor being, adventurer, explorer, mediator, and liberator.
Paul's compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served many in war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His organization Dream-Maker Ministries is building dreams, breaking limitations and reviving nations!
Paul's Breakthrough Seminars inspire, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.
Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com, 407-967-7553
Watch his powerful ministry videos below to see supernatural power flow. http://www.DreamMakerMinistries.com, [http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV]
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